The Nanjing deep-water dredging project is ready to start, according to the Yangtze River Administration. The project, expected to be completed by 2013, aims to dredge to a depth of 12.5 metres so that ocean-going vessels of 50,000 dwt can sail to Nanjing all year round and 70,000 dwt bulk carriers can reach Nanjing on high tide.

The project is likely to be financed jointly by the central government and Jiangsu provincial government, though details are not yet known.